NRIs deserting wives to lose passports

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who harass their wives or desert them could face impoundment or cancellation of their passport if the government of India accepts the recommendations of a high-level panel.Following several complaints lodged by women deserted by their NRI husbands, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) constituted the committee in May to look into various legal and regulatory challenges and suggest measures to address them. The panel has also recommended that cases of domestic violence be included in the scope of extradition treaties that India inks with other countries. The panel believes this will facilitate extradition of NRI spouses to India for trial. At present, when it comes to desertion, domestic violence or dowry harassment cases, it is next to impossible to get the man to return for facing legal proceedings. Officials in the Union women and child development (WCD) ministry, which is coordinating with the MEA on the issue, said the government is likely to accept the recommendations. Both external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and WCD minister Maneka Gandhi have taken up the cause of Indian wives deserted by NRI men. Once the passport is impounded, the NRI husband — if present in India — won`t be able to leave the country until the case is settled.